The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Northeastern University

Harvard College

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Elastagen Pty. Limited

Nasim Annabi

Ali Khademhosseini

Alexander Assmann

Reza Dana

Anthony Steven Weiss

Sidi A Bencherif

Abigail N Koppes

Iman Noshadi

Ryan A Koppes

Jonathan R Soucy

Ehsan Shirzaei Sani

Ahmad Kheirkhah

Devyesh Rana

Alireza Khademhosseini

Amir Sheikhi

The present invention provides an improved tissue adhesive to repair defects in soft tissue. Following ASTM standard tests, crosslinked methacryloyl-substituted gelatin hydrogels of the present invention (GelSEAL) were shown to exhibit adhesive properties, i.e. wound closure strength, shear resistance and burst pressure, that were superior to clinically used fibrin- and poly(ethylene glycol)-based glues. Chronic in vivo experiments in rats proved GelSEAL to effectively seal large lung leakages without additional sutures or staples, presenting improved performance as compared to fibrin and poly(ethylene glycol) glues. Furthermore, subcutaneous implantation in rats revealed high biocompatibility of GelSEAL as evidenced by low inflammatory host response. Advantageously, the tissue adhesives of the present invention are low cost and easy to produce, making them a promising substance to be used as a sealant for fluid leakages in soft tissue, as well as an easily tunable platform to further optimize the adhesive characteristics.

Elastic biopolymer and use as a tissue adhesive

Disclosed herein are functionalized dopamine derivatives comprising an optionally substituted acrylic acid moiety and optionally a polyethylene glycol linking moiety. The functionalized dopamine derivatives are useful in cryogel formulations to improve the adhesivity of the cryogel, while preventing undesirable oxidation typically associated with dopamine-containing hydrogels and cryogels. Properties such as cryogel adhesivity, pore size, and interconnectivity are tunable features. Also provided herein are methods of treating a wound or promoting tissue regeneration with a cryogel of the invention or a formulation comprising such a cryogel.

Injectable, bioadhesive cryogel scaffolds for biomedical uses

Neurosupportive materials that possess strong tissue adhesion were synthesized by photocrosslinking two polymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin (MeTro). The engineered materials exhibited tunable mechanical properties by varying the GelMA/MeTro ratio. In addition, GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited 15-fold higher adhesive strength to nerve tissue ex vivo compared to traditionally used fibrin-based materials. Furthermore, the composites were shown to support Schwann cell (SC) viability and proliferation, as well as neurite extension and glial cell participation in vitro, which are essential cellular components for nerve regeneration. Finally, subcutaneously implanted GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited slower degradation in vivo compared with pure GelMA, indicating its potential to support the growth of slowly regenerating nerves. Thus, GelMA/MeTro composites may be used as clinically relevant biomaterials to regenerate nerves and reduce the need for microsurgical suturing during nerve reconstruction.

Gelatin/elastin composites for peripheral nerve repair

The present invention provides compositions and methods for repair and reconstruction of defects and injuries to the cornea.

Bioadhesive for corneal repair

A biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel of tunable conductivity is provided. The hydrogel includes a polymer conjugated to a bio-ionic liquid. The mechanical and electrical properties of the hydrogel can be varied by altering the ratio of the polymer to the bio-ionic liquid in the conjugated polymer. These properties can be varied also by changing the percent weight of the conjugated polymer in the hydrogel. A method for preparing the hydrogel is also provided.

Biocompatible and conductive hydrogels with tunable physical and electrical properties

Disclosed herein are polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of {[VPGVG]IPGVG}, wherein n is an integer greater than 1. The polypeptides can be crosslinked to from biocompatible hydrogels with tunable and desirable mechanical properties. The polypeptides and hydrogels can be used in a variety of biomedical applications including treatment of bleeding, treatment of soft tissue injury, injectable filler, and tissue adhesives.

Polypeptide compositions and methods of using the same

The present invention relates to hydrogels and to the use of hydrogels for repair or restoration of tissue. In particular, the hydrogels of the present invention can be used for the repair or restoration of cardiac tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Nasim Annabi